A driver who caused a motorcyclist to crash his bike in order to stop him overtaking has been jailed.
The incident happened on the A259 Worms Lane, Middleton-on-Sea, around 12.30pm on Monday 23 December, 2019.
The driver had cut in front of the 61-year-old motorcyclist at the roundabout on Flansham Lane.
The rider travelled behind the car, a Ford Focus, for a short distance, but as the traffic slowed to 40mph on the 60mph road, the motorcyclist attempted to overtake the car, when it was safe to do so.
The driver then deliberately swerved into the path of the motorcycle to stop the overtake and made 'rude gestures' to the rider.
As a result, the victim lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a car parked in a layby nearby.
He was airlifted to hospital in Brighton with potentially life-threatening injuries. After undergoing spinal surgery, he was discharged to continue his recovery at home. He has been left with permanent mobility issues.
Samuel Markwick, 31, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving when he appeared at court for a plea hearing on September 2, 2021.
Despite seeing the collision, Markwick failed to stop at the scene. He later called police and admitted being the driver in the collision.
At Brighton Police Station he was arrested and released under investigation.
Markwick, of Valley Drive, Brighton, was later charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision.
He admitted both offences and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years' imprisonment last Friday (Oct 15). He was also disqualified from driving for four years.
Detective Sergeant Neil Cox said:
"The victim in this case suffered extensive serious injuries in a collision that could easily have been avoided had Samuel Markwick simply allowed the victim to safely complete the overtake.
"The victim was perfectly within his rights to overtake the vehicle but Markwick behaved aggressively and dangerously to prevent him from doing so.
"His actions were completely unacceptable and fell far below the standards expected of a road user. We encourage motorists to be patient and to treat all other road users with respect."
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